Government Affairs & Policy Associate

Metropolitan Family Services • Chicago, IL

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) is seeking a full-time Government Affairs & Policy Associate to join their HQ Team. MFS is an established human services agency that empowers families to learn, earn, heal, and thrive. This role is focused on engaging and influencing government decision-makers to support agency objectives and clients. The ideal candidate will be passionate about making an impact beyond a company's bottom line and contributing to the agency's mission.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, social work, or related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience/training in public policy, government affairs, advocacy, or nonprofit public sector engagement.
• Strong understanding of legislative and regulatory processes at the federal, state, and local levels.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in public policy, public administration, social work, or related field.
• Project management certification.
• Experience in legislative advocacy, coalition-building, or public policy campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Execute agency initiatives to engage and influence government decision-makers in support of agency objectives to support agency clients and geographies.
• Provides consultation on advocacy issues to staff and coalitions.
• Assist in development and implementation of project management processes.
• Coordinate and assist with adopted Government Affairs & Policy projects through project lifecycle including draft project proposals, monitor project progress, communicate with project team members and stakeholders, conduct research to support project planning and decision-making, and provide general administrative support to ensure successful delivery of tangible and intangible project outcomes.
• Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, government agencies, coalitions, partners, and other key stakeholders.
• Schedules and prepare materials for meetings, briefings, and public events with policymakers and stakeholders.
• Serve as liaison between the Government Affairs & Policy Department and agency Community Centers and proactively attends Community Center meetings and events.
• Develop specialized communications related to Government Affairs & Policy, advocacy, governance and strategic initiatives, including annual policy agenda, advocacy materials such as fact sheets, talking points, testimony, resource toolkits, and correspondence with officials as well as planning documents and other documents targeting legislators, policymakers, external stakeholders, staff and clients.
• Write and distribute regular advocacy communication tools for internal and external audiences including monthly Government Affairs & Policy Advocacy Newsletter, advocacy action center intranet pages, and action alerts using advocacy software platform.
• Promote the agency’s state and federal legislative advocacy agenda.
• Monitor specific legislation, policy initiatives and emerging issues, as assigned, and maintain knowledge of public policy trends.
• Analyze all relevant areas and recommend action to department leadership.
• Represent the agency in local, state, and national activities as assigned.
• Maintain records of Government Affairs & Policy activities, including legislative tracking, stakeholder engagement, and meeting notes, to ensure organized and accurate documentation of departmental, legislative, and advocacy efforts.
• Coordinate and execute the agency-wide Advocacy Task Force (ATF) process and serves as lead staff for ATF meetings.
• Develop, refine and distribute materials and action items for ATF and its policy workgroups, including materials, minutes, meeting tools and other documentation required Government Affairs & Policy department performance standards.
• Coordinate efforts of ATF workgroup leaders and other assigned staff to ensure MFS meets or exceeds all outlines goals.
• Support the Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs in staffing Board committees and other group projects as assigned.
• Collaborate with the department leadership, staff, contractors and stakeholders to plan and implement Government Affairs & Policy initiatives.
• Work effectively with diverse staff and service populations.
• May supervise interns or staff.
• Carries out other projects and administrative assignments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Guardian Dental Coverage
• VSP Vision Coverage
• HSA accounts with employer contributions ($2,000 individual, $4,000 family, pro-rated)
• FREE General Medicine and Behavioral Health Teladoc services
• Ascensus 401K plan services with a 4% employer match, vested at 100% on day one of eligibility

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level